A teenager lost the ability to read and write following a road traffic accidentt after he suffered from whiplash. A report, published by the British Medical Journal, stated that the type of injuries sustained by the victim of the crash in 2004 are the only kind to ever be seen.
The 19-year-old believed he had escaped the accident unscathed despite hitting his head, however found that he was unable to understand words on the television following the incident, describing them as “alien symbols”.
“Extremely Rare”
Over the next few months, the victim lost the ability to read and write entirely, with a brain scan revealing that he had suffered from a cyst in his brain, causing him to lose his memory. The teen, now in his late 30s, has since taught himself to read and write once more, and completed university.
Brain expert Dr Lynne Barker said: "It's extremely rare for someone to completely lose the ability to read and write at the same time.
“It's normally one or the other, or partial loss of both, and usually only follows serious brain injury. In this case, the patient had sustained very minor injuries but there was no pathology to the brain.
“It seems the accident caused the cyst to grow, causing him to lose the ability to read and write very rapidly after the accident.”
The incident occurred in a road traffic accident, which remains one of the most common causes of whiplash. Although the injury can occur in any incident, it is most common in rear-end collisions.
Head Injuries
As well as suffering from a whiplash injuries, the victim of the crash also suffered from head injuries.If you suffer from a blow to the head it is vital that you seek a medical examination. Head injuries can result in a fractured skull, memory loss, permanent brain damage or even death. Due to the nature of a head injury it is likely that you will receive more compensation as a result of the possible effects of the injury.
Regardless of if you have suffered from whiplash or a head injury, at Lawford Kidd we believe that your health and safety is paramount and that if you are involved in a road traffic accident, or any accident in which you obtain a head knock or whiplash, you should seek medical attention.
Whiplash Claims
Whiplash is caused by the damaging and bruising of tendons in the neck following uncontrolled movements of the head. Many people are unaware they have whiplash following an accident, with the symptoms taking up to 12 hours to properly develop. If you have been involved in a road traffic accident we strongly advise that you seek medical attention in order to ensure that you are cared for, and that any potential injuries are monitored, especially if you suffer a head knock.
Sadly, whiplash is one of the most common injuries to be fraudulently claimed for. If you are injured in a road traffic accident, it is important to see a medical professional - not only are you ensuring that you are cared for, but if you do wish to make a claim, your injuries have been verified by a trained health care professional.
Whiplash can result in extreme pain when moving, difficulty in sleeping, stiffness or even a headache. Whilst whiplash is not the most serious injury in regards to long term issues, it can cause extreme difficulties and may result in an ability to live an ordinary life for a substantial period of time. If you are unable to work properly, or unable to earn a living due to a whiplash injury we believe that you have the right to hold those responsible to account.
Making A Claim
In order to make a claim, it is important that our personal injury specialists have as much evidence as possible to build a case. This will require you to be as open and honest with our solicitors as possible, so that they are given a clear picture of what occurred and how you were injured. It is also important to provide our team with as much evidence as possible. In order to make an accident claim, our solicitors must know how the injury occurred and if it was a result of negligence. If the accident was your own fault, you will not be able to make a claim. Our solicitors may require a written statement, details of any witnesses or video evidence, as well as the contact details of the other party responsible and witnesses to the incident. When you first contact our team, you will be informed of what you will be required to provide.
How Much Is My Whiplash Claim Worth?
It is difficult to assess exactly how much a whiplash claim is worth, however, at Lawford Kidd we know that no claim is alike. Our team of skilled personal injury solicitors will be able to use their wealth of experience and legal knowledge to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. Although whiplash claims often get a negative press, we believe if you are injured in an accident that is not your fault, you are entitled to claim compensation. While seeking compensation can be a simple, open-and-shut case in some instances, they also have the potential to quickly spiral out of control. Therefore, we strongly advise you to contact a solicitor if you are considering making a personal injury claim.
No Win, No Fee Solicitors
At Lawford Kidd, we operate on a strict no win, no fee policy meaning that if we are unable to obtain the compensation you deserve, you will not be required to pay for the legal advice or representation offered by our solicitors. If we are successful in obtaining compensation we will take a minimal fee, also known as a success fee. Regardless of how much compensation you are awarded, our success fee will never be more than 25% of the damages you received.
Contact Us
If you require legal advice regarding making a personal injury claim, or if you have been involved in an accident and suffered whiplash, our team of personal injury lawyers will be able to help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today using our online contact form.